The Bishop of Knaresborough,

Rt Revd James Bell

The Right Revd James Bell lives in Exelby near Richmond. During the transition to a new Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, following the retirement of Bishop John Packer in January 2014, Bishop James will be acting Bishop for the Ripon and Leeds area.

Bishop James Bell was born and bred in the Eden Valley in Cumbria, so he has thoroughly northern roots! His grandfather came from a farming family in Startforth.

He was a parish priest for 11 years (at two modern and one mediaeval churches) and he was an Area Dean for three years looking after 30 parishes and 60 clergy. For four years he acted as Adviser for Ministry and was Director of Ministry Training Programme at Willesden. He then became Director of Ministry & Training for the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds and was also Residentiary Canon of Ripon Cathedral. Following that he was appointed as Director of Mission for the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds.

Currently the Bishop of Knaresborough, he has a background of parochial ministry, training and mission and his responsibilities include evangelism and church growth, rural affairs.

UPDATE - Slide Shows

Here are two slide shows, used by Bishop James at the Bishop's Council event.